The Hippopotamus Pool

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

The spunky Victorian Egyptologist Amelia Peabody Emerson has returned to the exotic Nile valley. Parasol aloft and hot on the trail of an unexplored tomb, she must outwit a shadowy evildoer, a questionable antiquities dealer, and her loquacious son, Ramses.

Don't miss the rest of the Amelia Peabody series. You can also check out more of our Most Addictive Series.

©1997 Elizabeth Peters (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"A writer so popular that the public library has to keep her books under lock and key." ( Washington Post Book World)

Desert Derring-Do

This is the kind of tale that breaks down the ratings system. If you are looking for a page-turning, breathless thriller, you've come to the wrong place. If you are attracted by the possibility of enriching your penchant for Egyptology, you will not find this book compelling.
But. If you like your mysteries with a side of grin, this is the book for you. Amelia Peabody Emerson is an intrepid, sexy, brilliant, Victorian feminist who adores her equally brilliant and good looking husband. She gently nudges her son Ramses into proper behavior. Ramses is such a precocious lad that he can become annoying. Yes he is precocious enough to understand that and try to contain himself when it counts. There's a beautiful step daughter who is tinged with mystery. The family battles evil, uncovers lost burial sites, faces danger and rescues one another. But the fun of the book is peeking inside the brain of the undaunted Peabody, as her husband addresses her. As a devoted Rex Stout fan, I'm not ready to hand Peabody Archie Goodwin's crown in he kingdom of witty narrators. But Amelia Peabody Emerson is more than pleasant company.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Dive In - to the Hippopotamus Pool

This is a very good installment in Elizabeth Peters' Amelia series. Barbara Rosenblat has become a "must" for me; her reading makes these Audible versions better than the hardcopy reading experience.

Yes, these books can be described as "light reading". But Elizabeth Peters is a pen name for Barbara Mertz, who has a Ph.D. in Egyptology. She knows her stuff and obviously takes delight in presenting these characters throughout the series. She and Barbara Rosenblat are an irresistible combination! You really cannot go wrong with this one.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

A must listen

I am a long-time Audible subscriber and have listened to 100's of audiobooks but this series by Elizabeth Peters, featuring Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe Emerson and their inimitable son Ramses, is my favorite of all time. Though I have read the hard copy series, the incredible narration by Barbara Roseblat makes the audible version superior. She IS Amelia Peabody, and Emerson, and Ramses, etc, etc. Her characterization is so superb that you can unhesitatingly identify the characters. The entire series is wonderfully funny, suspenseful at times and above all, you will fall in love with the Emerson family and not be able to wait for the next book to continue their joyful romp through life. I promise you that if you have not read this series, you are in for a wonderful treat.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

One of the Very Good Ones in the Series

I have enjoyed the Amelia Peabody books (I have listened to 1 though 8 so far) and enjoyed them all, but some are a little better than others. This is one of the good ones. Amelia, Emerson, Walter, Evelyn, Ramses and Nefta all end up in Egypt and a new character, a young boy named David, is introduced. I know we will see David again. Ramses and Nefta have sort of a love/hate relationship (they are competitive and Ramses is over protective) that is fun to watch develop. She can hold her on against Ramses - however Ramses remains my favorite character in the series. I also like the two cats, but particularly the female cat. She plays a big role in this book.

In Hippopotomus Pool, the reporter, Kevin from London, shows up in Egypt - mainly because the Emersons end up with a really good dig site near Luxor. There friend Cyrus, from previous books, lives in Luxor in the "castle". There are some really bad "guys" but it is hard to tell which people they are until the end. You don't know who the Emerson's can trust.

Excellent narration, as usual.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Family entertainment

It is great to read a book that can be overheard. Excellent story. Excellent narrator. Thank you! Ok all right

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Hippopotamus Pool

Another amazing book by Elizabeth Peters! I was so happy to see this book come to audible.com, as I had missed it on my way through the rest of Amelia Peabody series, so when it was released here I had to listen to this series again (4th time through), and this was the crucial missing book! Ms. Peters is an amazing author who brings Egypt to life! I find myself watching anything on the television that has anything to do with egyptology, and I find that she is incredibly accurate in the historic and technical parts of her books. The humor and mystery in this, and in fact all of her books is just down right wonderful. I find myself wishing and hoping for the next book in the series! This book can, as all of her books, be read as a stand alone, or in the series format. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Amelia Peabody and Barbara Rosenblat, None better

Since this is the 5th or 6th time I've read this series, you can expect a favorable review. Barbara Rosenblat's reading of this series has made the Peabody-Emerson family old friends, and I doubt I'll ever find d a series that compares. The characters are quirky unique, and I still laugh out loud listening to the dialogue between them and other historical characters Peters includes in the series. These books are fun, interesting, adventurous, and educational escapes. I was saddened by Barbara Mertzs (Elizabeth Peters) passing, but I hear there'll be a new posthumous publication this year. Here's hoping.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

These books have been just beautiful escapist fiction. I love them. They are well read and well paced. Thank you

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love this story!

Crime, crazy family members and a complicated twisting plot! Amelia at her finest! Nefret and Rameses add an interesting angle!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

What did you love best about The Hippopotamus Pool?

Barbara Rosenblatt's narration of the Amelia Peabody series really brings the stories to life. I loved reading the books, but hearing Ms. Rosenblatt's performance adds a dimension. She is superb.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole series (of which this is about #8) begins in the late 1880s and goes forward to the 1920s - a totally fascinating period. In amongst the fun, one learns quite a bit about Egyptology and about the Middle East of the time (explaining some of the problems of today). The descriptions are vivid, the characters well-developed over the series, and the plots are fun.

What does Barbara Rosenblat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her interpretation and narration is the wonderful frosting on a terrific book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A fun, rip-roaring yarn!

Any additional comments?

Although each book is entertaining on its own, I recommend reading / listening to the series from the beginning to get the full flavor. That way you don't miss the development of the characters and their relationships over the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very Happy Listener

I know that many,many good things have been said about the Amelia Peabody books,and I cannot add much more, except for me they are so exciting,that I believe that if I was eighteen instead of nearly seventy five I would be on my way to the land that Elizabeth Peters writes about so wonderfully. I also have to say how much I have enjoyed listening to Barbara Rosenblat ,who for me IS Amelia Peabody,all the characters come alive as she reads and I have to remind myself often that it is only one person reading, thank you all at Audible for making these wonderful books available. I am looking forward to buying many more as I can afford them,thank you once again,
A very happy listener,
Trish75

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The Hippopotamus Pool

Another great story from Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series and the characters brought to life by Barbara Rosenblat.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A fantastic read

As usual very entertaining and enjoyable, looking forward to the next instalment. Narration is excellent

Highly entertaining as always

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend all of the Amelia Peabody series. As with the rest of the series, this story is engaging with twists and turns and the attention to historical detail is superb!

What does Barbara Rosenblat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Barbara Rosenblat IS Amelia Peobody. It's hard to believe that she is the only one reading the book.

Any additional comments?

Buy these audiobooks!

Excellent as usual

What made the experience of listening to The Hippopotamus Pool the most enjoyable?

As ever Elizabeth Peters delivers a delightful and charming episode in the Amelia Peabody saga. Her characterization of the various members of the extended Peabody family is exact and amusing. In particular, the varied relationships that Amelia has with each member is clearly delineated. The growth of these relationships within the saga is compelling. In addition, Barbara Rosenblat is so skilled at voice differentiation foe the various characters that she is a delight to hear.

What other book might you compare The Hippopotamus Pool to, and why?

I might compare these books to the Mrs. Pollifax series also narrated by Barbara Rosenblat.

Which character – as performed by Barbara Rosenblat – was your favourite?

Amelia must be a favourite, but Ramsesis a close second.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Amelia always amuses me and warms my heart.

Any additional comments?

The entire series is worth listening to.

I liked it, but didn't love it

I just felt it wasn't quite as good as others I've read in this series - the narration was excellent, but the plot felt a bit tired. Still, if you like to hear about the Emersons' adventures, you'll be OK with this book.

Good Holiday Listening

This was a great listen for the long drive down through France this summer, with both comedy and plot it suited both of us! Also it is read well and in an appropriate voice!